Trump Says Proposed D.C. Arch Will Double as Military Complex With Drones, Snipers

President Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post on Sunday, September 20, 2026, that his proposed triumphal arch in Washington, D.C. would be converted into what he called a "top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch." Trump said the roughly 250-foot structure, planned near the Arlington Memorial Bridge between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, would house drones and snipers and store large quantities of ammunition, including the ability to "rapidly" access sniper ammunition. Trump said the redesign was made at the "strong request" of the U.S. military and characterized it as necessary for national security purposes. He described customized sniper facilities planned for the roof and plaza area of the arch. Multiple outlets noted that Trump has used similar national-security justifications previously for a separate White House ballroom project, which he has also referred to as a "military complex." As of the announcement, a federal court was reviewing the legality of the arch project, according to NPR. The precise cost, construction timeline, funding source, and formal military involvement in requesting the redesign were not detailed in the available reporting. It remains unresolved whether the Defense Department has issued any official statement confirming Trump's characterization of the request, and further legal or congressional review of the project's status was not specified.